Mobile post puller winch



Aug. l2, 1952 c. F. BALL ETAI.

MOBILE POST FULLER WINCH 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 2, 1947 d/ NS f O m5 mm SQ Qq l, Nw

. lfofmfy Aug. 12, 1952 C. F. BALL ET AL 2,606,745'

. MOBILE POST FULLER WINCH Filed June 2, 1947 l e sheeis-sheet 2 M Humm Mmm 1M IM lzzzfgzziw:

Kindes fjall. @Forge 6. aZmasa.

Aug. l2, 1952 c. F. BALL ETAL 2,605,745

MOBILE PosT FULLER WINCH Filed June 2, 1947 'e sheets-sheet s 6 lig.

Aug- 12, 1952 C. F. BALL r-:TAL 2,506,745

MOBILE POST FULLER WINCH Filed June 2, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ez'y /a M ,4 77 @a ww W I" 9 mi 'y f@ /gl I 3 /2/ Il WMM M wnfam:

Aug. 12, 1952v C. F. BALL ET AL MOBILE POST FULLER WINCH Filed June 2. 1947 Aug. 12, 1952 c. F. BALL ETAL 2,606,745

MOBILE PosT FULLER WINCH Filed June 2, 19A" e sheets-sheet e 46 W y a |||||||N l I llllf 4 I f4 m lll IIN 44 53 f2 /60 /57 fnde! 295:

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Patented Aug. i2, 1952 naires smrss sica Moena ros-T FULLER WiNcH Charles F. Bali and George C Dalmaso, Franklin, Pa., assignors to Joy Manufacturing Company,

a corporation of Pennsylvania Application .lune 2, 1947, Serial No. 751,854

18 laims. Y 1

This invention relates to Winches and more particularly, but' not exclusively, to a mobile post puller for the pulling and reclaiming of posts or props used in timberng thev roofs of underground mines. l

In underground' mines, the roof ofthe work ing chamber is usually supported by timbers such as posts or props', and as mining progresses, as' for' example when robbing pillars andretreating, it is vdesirable to reclaim' the postsA or props forreuse, thereby substantially to reduce the cost of timbering. The posts or propsV are firmly"wedged between the mine floor and roof, and" great force is required tn 'loosen or dislodge the posts or props, and when the posts arc loosened; they must be quickly moved out of the' way of thefallingroof. `Several known types of machines have been employed-forv pulling andreclaiming the posts or props, and the present invention contemplates improvements over such;

known machines. The postpulling winch of the present invention is readily mobile so that it' may be moved rapidly aboutthe mineI and` quickly maneuveredinto position and set "in place,

is' extremely rugged and compact, and providesfor a slow and powerful pulling force toloosenor dislodge the posts and a-relatively rapid winding' speed tol move Yquicky the posts from beneath the falling roof. 'The' postpullerlot th'ef present invention may also be employed in re'' claiming crossbars, rails, planks and other equipment, and further may be used as' a'. room hoist! An object of the present inventionlisto provide-y an improved winch. Another object' isto prof vide an improved post pullin'g Winch foi' re# claiming timbering elements such as posts or' props in underground minesin a safe and rapidl manner. Ajfurther objectl is t'oprovidelan iin-` proved mobile winch having nov'el`4 eat'ures of construction whereby improved op'erationvi's' at tained. Yet'anoth'erobject is toprovidean im'- provedl winch of the crawleror tractor tread supported and propelled-type' whereby the winch` may be` rapidly moved about thel mine and quickly maneuver'ed ir-'itowposition andsetv in place. driving and controlling-l meansv` for lthe-"crawler" or tractor treads. A stilliurther object istopro'' vide improved jack devices for firmly holding. the machine in a stationary position'between the mine door andi roof during its` operation.-

A' further object"l isi to# provide improved Yet another object is to provide an improved post puller having novel arrangements and combinations of parts; These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however,

2 hereinafter more fully appear.

A In the accompanying drawings there isshown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Figa 1 is a top plan view of the improved post puller, with the top covers removed to show details of the internal structure.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the post puller shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is* a horizontal sectionaly View, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the planes of line' 3 1l of- Fig. 2.l

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

, taken on line' {5 15 of Fig. 8, showing details Fig; 5 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view'taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 1. l

'Fig 6 is a cross-sectional viewtaken on line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail vertical sectional view taken on line '1 7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale,takensubstantially on line 8 8 of Fig. 2'.

Fig- 9 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on line 9 9 of Fig. l.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the plane of Fig. 8, showing details ofthe differential drive.

l"ig.r1lisanv enlarged detail vertical sectional View taken' on the planes of line M lll of Fig. 3, showing details of' one of the jack devices. Fig- 15'is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of one of the tractor tread brakes.

Fig'. 16 isa diagrammatic view illustrating the iiuid'control system.

In this illustrative construction, as-shown inv the dra-wings, the improved mobile post pullingwinch is generally designated l and comprises a main frame 2, to the' sides of which are suitably adjustablysecured'supporting andguidingframes' 3, 3 having endless crawler or tractor treadsl "acocjmt 4, 4 mounted for circulation thereon. Evidently, the winch may be mounted in other manners, as for example, on track wheels adapted to travel along a trackway laid on the mine floor. The winch of the presentinvention is an improvement over that of the Charles F. Ball Patent No. 2,389,177, patented Nov. 20, 1945.

The main frame 2 carries a reversible motor 5, herein preferably an electric motor, having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the main frame at one side of the longitudinal center thereof, as shown in Figs. l and 3. Fixed to one end, preferably the front end, of the motor power shaft is a spur pinion 6 (see Fig. 5) meshing with a spur gear 1 fixed to a longitudinal shaft 8 suitably journaled within a gear housing 9 mounted on the main frame 2. Secured to the shaft 8 is a worm I5 meshing with a worm wheel II keyed to a transverse shaft I2 (Fig. 6) likewise suitably journaled in the gearing housing 9. splined at I3 to one end of the shaft I2 is a shiftable jaw clutch member I4 having jaws engageable with jaws on the hub of a chain sprocket I5 suitably journaled on bearing sleeves I6 supported by the shaft I2. The clutch member I4 is engaged by a shipper member I1 secured to a transverse operating shaft I8 suitably slidably guided on the gearing housing 9 rearwardly of the shaft I2. The slidable shaft I8 is pivotally connected to a link I9 provided with a conveniently located operating handle 29. The sprocket I5 is connected by an endless drive chain 2| to a chain sprocket 22 (see Fig. 3), herein secured to a capstan 23, sometimes called a niggerhead or gypsy, about which a cable is adapted to be snubbed for auxiliary hoisting purposes. This capstan is keyed to a transverse drive shaft 24, herein arranged parallel with the shaft I2 in front of the latter, and this shaft 24 is suitably journaled in bearings supported within a cable winding drum 25. The drum 25 has coaxial end hubs 26 and 21 suitably journaled in bearings supported within upstanding brackets 28, 28 secured to the main frame. The structure of the driving connections between the drive shaft 24 and the cable winding drum and the control means therefor may assume various forms but are herein similar to those described in a copending application to Charles F. Ball, Serial No. 749,715, filed May 22, 1947. As described in said application, fixed to the drive shaft 24 is a spur pinion 29 which meshes with planet gears 30 (one of which is shown in Fig. 3), each journaled on a horizontal stub shaft 3I supported at one end within the adjacent drum flange 32 and at its other end within a bracket 33 secured to the drum. These planet gears mesh with an internal gear 34 secured to a rotatable reaction member 3,5 coaxial with the drive shaft. Suitably fixed to the adjacent drum hub 21 is a bearing support 36, and the reaction member 35 has a tubular shaft 31 projecting axially beyond the adjacent bearing support 2S and to which a brake drum 38 is secured. The tubular shaft 31 of the reaction member 35 and the hub 39 of the brake drum 38 are journaled in suitable bearings supported respectively within the drum hub 21 and the bearing support 36. The hub 39 of the brake drum is keyed to the tubular shaft 31 near its outer end and is rigidly held in position on the tubular shaft by a retaining ring 40 suitably locked to the shaft. Cooperating with the exterior periphery of the brake drum 33 is a contractible brake band 4I, and this brake band, as described in the application above referred to,

is attached at one end to a suitable support and at its other end to a lever 42 secured to a shaft 43 rotatably mounted in a bearing bracket 44 suitably attached to the main frame. Secured to the opposite end of the shaft 43 is a lever 45 (see also Fig. 4) which is pivotally connected at 46 to a piston rod 41 of a reciprocable piston 48 contained in a fluid cylinder 49, the latter being pivotally mounted on a horizontal pivot at 50 on a bracket 5I, likewise attached to the main frame. Springs 52 (Fig. 3), connected between pivot pins 53 and 54 of the pivots 46 and 50 respectively, constantly urge the piston 48 toward its retracted position. Thus, when the piston 48 is moved outwardly under the influence of pressure fluid in the cylinder 49, the brake band 4I is applied, thus holding the reaction member 35 stationary, and as the drive shaft 24 is driven by the chain sprocket 42, the cable winding drum 25 is rotated in cable winding direction through spur pinion 29 and the planet gears 3I on the drum which mesh with the internal gear 34, the planet gears 30 rolling around the then stationary internal gear as a trackway to effect low speed drum rotation.

As is also described in the application above referred to, a friction clutch is provided for connecting the cable winding drum directly to the drive shaft 24 to effect high speed drum rotation in cable winding direction; and it will be noted that the drive shaft extends axially outwardly beyond the tubular shaft 31 of the reaction member. and keyed at 55 to this projecting end of the shaft is a hub 56 of a cylindrical flanged member 51. Slidably mounted on the cylindrical body of the member 51 is a hub 58 of a reciprocable clutch member 59, herein preferably a clutch cone engageable with a conical surface 60 on the brake drum 38. Studs 6I, secured to the flange of the member 51, are fitted in and pass outwardly through openings in the clutch member 59, and encircling these studs and arranged between washers held on the studs by nuts 62 and the outer surface of the clutch member 59 are coil springs 63 which constantly urge the clutch member 59 toward its connected position. Rigidly secured to the hub 56 of the member 51 is a non-reciprocable sleevelike piston E4 received in the bore of a reciprocable fluid cylinder 65, the latter rigidly secured to the hub 58 of the clutchmember 59. A suitable fluid seal surrounds the piston 64 and engages the walls of the cylinder bore to prevent leakage. Thus, when fluid is supplied to the cylinder G5, the latter is moved axially outwardly with respect to the piston 64 to release the clutch member 59 against the action of the springs 63. When fluid is vented from the cylinder 65, the springs 63 automatically connect the clutch. Thus, when the clutch member I4 is connected, the cable Winding drum and capstan may be driven at either a slow or a high speed, and when the clutch is disconnected, the cable may be freely unwound from the drum. When the drum is disconnected from its drive shaft, the capstan may be driven independently of the drum, and the latter is provided with a suitable contractible brake band 65 for holding the drum stationary at that time.

. Now. referring to the improved drive means for the crawler or tractor treads 4, it will be observed that splined at 10 to the opposite end of the transverse shaft I2 is a shiftable jaw clutch member 1I, similar to the member I4, having jaws engageable with jaws on the hub of a chain sprocket 12 suitably journaled on bear- 'ing sleeves-1`3 supportedvbyl-the shaft.` l2. The

clutch member 1| is engaged `by a shipper niem-V ber 14`securedto a transverseloperating shaft 15, parallel with the shaft I8 and likewise slidably 'guided on'the gearing housing but at1the forward side of the latter. A link 16 is pivotally connected to the slidable shaft and is provided with a handle 11 located in a'djacency to the handle `20.- The sprocket 12 is connected by an endlessvdrive chain 18 (Fig. 9) to achain sprocket 19secured to a differentialhousing 80 (see also Figs B--and 13). Engaging the lower run of the drive chain 18 is a chain tightener sprocket 8| carried by the upper end of a lever'arm 82 pivoted at 83 on a bracket 84 secured to the main frame. Pivotally connected at 85 tothe lower endof the -lever arm is an adjusting rod 26. This'rod is screw-threaded and is engaged by anadjusting nut 81'which, in turn, engages a bracket' likewise' secured to the main-frame.'

By adjusting the nut on the Vrodali, the lever armmay be swung on its pivot to vary thek positionpf Vthe sprocket 8|,` thereby toadjust` the chain tension. The diiferentialhousing 80.sup ports radial shafts 90 `on which beveled planet gears 9| vare journaledand these planet gears mesh, at their opposite sides,.with coaxial beveled gearsSZ and93 respectively,thelatter keyed to the adjacent ends of aligned,transverseshafts 94 and 95. These shafts are suitably `j`o'u rnaled in bearings supported within the ,niainfrax'ne` and have keyed to their i remote ends chain sprockets 96,05 (Figf) connected by endless drive chains 91, 01 respectively to chain sprockets 9B, 08. These chain sprockets 08 are secured to transverse shafts 99 suitably journaled within the tread framesv and have sprockets |00 secured thereto which engage Yand drive the ,tractor treads. The tractor treads also extend around forwardly located idler sprockets 10|, and these. idler sprockets are provided with suitable adjusting devices |02 connected to the tread frames for adjusting the tension of the tractor treads in aknown manner. yKeyed tothe aligned shafts 94 and 95 are brake drums |03, |03 with which contractible brake bands |04 Vcooperate. Each of these brake bands is `pivotally connected at |05 at one end to a lever- |00 whichis, in turn, pivotally connected by a link |01-to the other end of the band. A pivotedlink |08 connects thev lever |06 to an arm |00 keyed to 'an operating shaft ||0. .Secured `toeach operating shaft is a lever arm connected by an *operating` rod I2 to a hand lever I3 conveniently located near the operators-station designated S. Thusby` operating the hand levers ||3, the brake bands,

|04, |04 may be controlled to vary the relative speeds of the tractor treads to effect steering during propulsion of the machine, and both brake bands may be applied when desired to hold the treads in a stationary position. 4Since the Ina-J chinemotor is reversible, the vtractor treads may be driven to propell the machine rin either direction. 1 l

The fluid operated jacksfor holding `the machine 'in a stationary position `between the mine roof and floor during operation of thewinch comprises bottom frames ||5 of inverted generally` U-shape extending across the top runs of thetractor treads and suitably rigidly secured to the sides'of the treadframes 3 (see Fig. 14). Pivotally mounted at I6 on horizontal pivots at the tops of these framesand arranged at opposite sides of the machine are fluid cylinders |1 arranged to swing in longitudinal 'planes and connected at their .lower ends'to a .pin |221providing thepivot H6. These springs constantly urge the pistons toward their lowermostretracted position. The pistonrodshave axial'sockets' |23 for receiving sections Vof ijack pipe,.not shown. When the jack pipes are placedagainst the mine roof and fluidV under pressure is suppliedV to the lower ends of the cylinder ||1, the pistons are moved upwardly to force the jack pipes rmly against the roof, `thereby holding the treads down against the floor it being understood that the tractor treads are, at that time, held against movement bythe brakes |03, |04. The frames |5 have spaced stop lugsr |24, |24 at the opposite sidesof the pivots ||6,- and the lower heads of the cylinders are engageable with these lugs to limit swingingmovement of the jacks. When fluid isfvented from the cylinders, the springs retract the pistons to release the jacks. l l The tread framesf3 have individual limited adjustment longitudinally relative to the main frame 2 for adjusting the tension of the drive chains 91. To accomplish suchtread frame'adjustment, the tread frames have longitudinally elongated V'transverse slots |I8' which receive the projecting ends-of square cross shafts I9 (Figs.v 8 and 14) nxed to brackets beneath the main frame. The square shafts'have collars "oriabutments |20 with which the rinner sides of the tread frames are engageable, and' threaded on the outer ends of these cross shafts are tightening nuts1|2 for rigidly securing thetread frames inwardly against the collars. Arranged longitudinally along the outer sides of the main frame are 'adjusting screws |22 (Fig. 2) rotatably mounted in luglike projections |25 extending from the side of the main frame, and these screws are threaded at |24 within the bottom frames ||5 ofthe roof jacks (see also Fig. 14), which' are rigidly secured to the tread frames. AWhen the nuts l2 |'l at the outer ends of the cross shaftsv are loosened, the screws |22' may be adjusted to slide the tread frames 3 bodily longitudinally on the square cross shafts relative to the main frame, therebyto tighten the drive chains 91. When properly adjusted, vthe tread frames may b e tightly clamped against the shaft collars |20 by the nuts |2,|. Rectangular plates p on the cross shafts closethe outer sides of the slots l |81 and are held in position by the nuts |21". "This adjustable mounting means for the tractor treads is being claimed in a co-pending application Serial No. 202,996, filed December 27, 1950, vwhich is-a division of this application.

An electric cable reel |25 is adapted to supply electric current to Athe machine motor 5, and this reel has wound thereon an lelectric conductor cable |26 adapted for attachment to a trolley line or otherpower source in the main entry in a known manner. The reel is driven in cable winding direction by a conventional fluid motor |21 mounted on the main frame and hav-V ing its power shaft connected through a chain and sprocket connection |28 to the` cable reel. When fluid under pressure is supplied to the motor |21, the reel is rotated in cable winding direction; and when the cable reel is rotated as the cable is pulled off from the reel, the motor runs backwards and acts Vas a pump at a reduced back pressure to maintain the cable under suitabletension. Thus, when the tractor treads are driven by the motor to propelthe. machinein a .forward direction, .the `conductor .cable .is.un Wound from the vcable reel; and when'the motor 5 is reversed -to eiectdrive of the tractor. treads to 'propel ythe machine in .the1reverse direction, the conductor cable is. .wound in Y.b y..the reel. Also vlocated at the yoperators station jS;.is;.an electricy control apparatus1|29 providedfwithconveniently located handles.

`Now referring Ato `the improvedguid system .of the machine as. showndiagrammaticallyin Figs. l1 and 16, it willbanoted that fixed to the-.rear end Yof the motor power shaft is a triple pulley (see also Figs. `1 `and .9.) 4`connected ,by endless belts .-|3| to `a `triple `,pulley v|32 secured to the drive shaft |33 of a-,conventionalgear pump VA34. A conventional control valve mechanism `L35 `on the main frameincludes a yalve box |36 having its pressure passage connected by a conduit |31 to the discharge side of the pump and fits -discharge passage connected by a conduit `|38 to a fluid tank 39 which contains a hydraulicuid, preferably Va lightoil. The suction Yside pf the pump is connected by a :conduit r|40 to the tank. Since the machine motor '5 which drives the pump is reversible, it is necessary to provide an improved automatic pump reverse whereby fluid under pressure `may be supplied to thepressure conduit |31 irrespectiveof thedirectionvgin-vvhich the pump is driven.k To accomplish this, the conduit |31 leads to a central connection 4| von the casing of suitable valve mechanism, herein for illustrative purposes .a conventional shuttle valve device |42. The '.valve casing has a valve chamber |43 in whichra vfluid actuated shuttle.

valve |44 is reciprocably mounted (see Fig. v12). Instead of the single shuttle valve,separate,.op positely seating check valves may be employed. Threaded within the casing at the opposite ,ends of the chamber |43 are members |45 having axial passages |46 and provided with seats surrounding the inner ends of the passagesand ,with which the ends of the shuttle valve |44 .are alternately engageable, depending upon thedirection of iluid flow. The suction conduit |40 has'branches |48 and |49 connected through conventional check valves |50 and |5| to conduits |52 and |53 connected to the passages-|46 at' the Opposite ends of the casing of the shuttle valve casing. C011- duits |54 and |55 lead from the opposite sides:

of the pump to the check valves |50 and 5|; and the latter automatically prevent reverse fluid now from conduits '|154 and |55 to the s'uc-l pressure conduit. andthe check valve- |5I-,closes so that fluid under` `pressure may flo-w -from conduit |55 through the branch conduit u|53'to Ythe left hand end of the valve casinglFig, l2) and the iluid then acts on the left handlend of the shuttle valve |44 to'throwtheF latter-to itsright hand seated position, as viewedin Fig.l v12. XFluid under pressure may -then flow pastthe shuttle valve to the pressure conduit |371. -When the pump is reversed, the conduit |55 -acts Aas the suction conduit and the conduit |54 Vacts as the pressure conduit, and the check valve l|50 Acloses so that pressure may flow from conduit 1|54 through the branch conduit 52 .to the righthand end of the casing of -theshuttle'valva and the fluid acts on the right hand end `of the shuttle valve to throw the latter to its .left @hand 4seated position, as viewed vin Fig. 12. Fluid .underrpressure may then flow past the shuttle'valve to the pressure conduit |31.l Thus fluid under .pressure in the pressure ,passage of the avalve box is maintained irrespective of .the direction iin which the pump is driven. Theyalve box has three bores containingconventional slide valves |56, |51 and` |58, respectively having ,suitable operating handles 55', |51 and |58 located'near the handles 20 and 11. The valve |56 controls the frictional control V:devices 38, 4| and 59, for the two-speed drum drive in the manner explained in the above mentioned application; the valve |51 controls'the jacks; Vand the valve |58 controls the reel 4motor |21. Leading from the valve vboxbore receiving the valve |56 `is a. conduit '|59 having .branches |60 and |6|, v:the former connected to the iiuid cylinder .49 and the latter connected througha conventional hand valve |62 4to a conduit |63 connected through a fluid-tight swivel connection |64 tothe Yfluid cylinder 65. When the r'valve |56 is Apositioned to supply fluid under lpressure to the conduit |59 and throughfbraneh'conduits |60 and .|6| to the Vcylinders 49 fand 65, lthe clutch- -member 59 is released While the brake 4| is applied, thereby to effect .drum drive in cable winding directionthrough the planetary reduction gearing at relatively low speed to apply a powerful loosening `or dislodging'-force to a post or lprop to be pulled. When the -valve V|56 is positioned to connect conduit |59 rto the discharge conduit |38, the springs.`52 effect release ,of the brake 4| while the springs "63', eifect connection of the clutch member59, thereby 'to drive the Adrum directly from the shaft '2 4 at a relatively 'high speed Vto move the loosened or dislodged post or prop relatively rapidly .from'beneath' the falling roof. When Y it vis desired :to Adrivethecapstan 23 independently of' .the drum 'for .auxiliary hoisting purposes, fluid'inay be supplied to'the fluidcylinders 49 and.65 and then the hand valve |62 may be closed to trap `the fluid in thecylinder 65 with the clutch member 59 ldisconnected. "The valve |56may vthen be positionedto connect ythe conduits |60 and |59 to 'the Adischarge line"|38 so that-the springs 5,2'release the brake 4|. `The drum drivevshaft l2 4 to which 'the capstan 23 is I fixed may then revolve freely relative to the cable drum whileqthe latter is Ymaintained stationary by the bralge'band 66; -When desired, the clutch member 4 n1aybereleased to disconnect the-sprocket -I- -frorn the drive Vshaft |2 so that the cable -drum y25 may freely rotate, thereby to Apermit .unwinding of the cable from the drum by hand. The valve Abox'bore receivivalve y|51 is positioned toA connect the conduit |65 to the dischargeconduit |38. The valve box bore receiving the valve 58 is connected'by a conduit |10 tothe reelmotor |21, and the reel motor discharge `is Vconnected by a conduit 1| to the dischargeconduit |38. lAutomatic 'control valve devices |12.are.connected between the reel motor conduits |f10-and |1| forfautomatically maintaininga reduced vback pressure on the reel motor when the latter-is 'driven backwards and acts as a pump. to'maintain the power conductor cable |25 on the cable reel :|25 under suitable tension when the cableds .pulled off .from the reel. Since these 4automatic control vdevices do not-enter into the present invention, description thereof vherein is unnecessary. f

`The general mode of use of the improved post puller Willbe clearly apparent from the description given. The machine may be propelled about the mine and maneuvered into position -by the tractor treads 4, 4 driven by the reversible motor 5 through the diierentiallgearing under the con- .trolof the brakes |03, llfl. By suitablycontrol- 'ling these brakes, the tractor treads may be driven at relatively dilierent speeds through the diierential gearing toeiect steering of themachine in a known manner. As the machine moves vH2 to maintainthe conductor cable vunderthe desired tension. When the machine is properly positioned, the clutch member 'H of the tractor tread `drive is disconnected and the tread brakes |63, |04 Iarerset to hold the tractor treads against movement relative to the tread frames. Jack pipes are then inserted in the sockets |23 inthe piston rods of the jack pistons, and iluid is then admitted to the jack cylinders to move the jack pistons outwardly to bring the jackfpipes into rm engagement with theroof `to hold the machine rigidly in position between the mine floor and roof, and the jacks may be rmly locked in position by closing the hand valves |38 and |59. The cable on the winding drum 25 may then be extended to a post or prop to be pulled, and vwhen properly attached to the post, the clutch member M ofthe winch drive may Vbe connected and fluid may be vented from the cylinder 55 to eiect application of the high-speed clutch 53, G to drive the Winding drum 25 in cable winding direction at a relatively low speed "to apply a powerful pulling force tothe postor loosen or dislodge the latter. Immediately upon loosening of the post, the high-speed clutch 59, Si) may be released by fluid pressure inthe cylinder t and duid under pressure maybe admitted tothe `cylinder 49 to eieot application of the brake 38, thereby to drive the winding drum atta relatively fast speed in cable vwinding direction to pull the dislodged post rapidly from beneath the falling roof. released by venting fluid from the cylinders II'! under the Control of `the hand valves |53 `and |69 and the slide valve |51 and the clutch member |41 may then be disconnected and the clutch member 'H connected, and upon reversal of the motor 5, the machine may be propelled by the tractor treads rearwardly toward the main entry. The automatic pump reverse including the automatic shuttle valve device |42 maintains fluid underpressure in the pressure passage of the .two-speed drum drive are vboth releasedunder the control of the valves l|56 and 62, the capstan ,23 may be wdriven 'independently of -the vcable winding drum for auxiliaryhoisting purposes;

The jacks may then be Lal ' and when the clutch vmember lll is disconnected,

the cable may be pulled freely off from the winding drum 25 by hand.

`As aresult of this invention, an improved winch is provided, having a two-speed drive for the cable winding drum and improved control means whereby the drive may be easily vand quickly shifted from one speed to the'other. It will further be evident that an improved post puller is provided, having improved propelling and steering means and improved jack means associated therewithior rmly holding the machine in a stationary position during operation of the winch. By the provision of the automatic pump reverse, fluid under pressure in the pressure passage of the valve mechanism is maintained irrespective of the direction of operation of the Ypump,'thereby enabling drive ofthe pump directly from the reversible vmachine motor. It will further be noted that the improved p-ost puller is extremely rugged and compact and has exceptional maneuverability as a result ofV the tractor tread mounting. The tread frame adjust- 'ing means provides a simple and eiective adjustment jfor the tread drive chains. Other manners of use and advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one Vvform which the invention may assume in practice, it will l'be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention `may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

v l. In a mobile winch, a tractor base comprising a Vbase frame having endless tractor treads for supporting and 'propelling the same and side frames on which said treads are guided, motor operated tread driving means, mea-ns for-,adjustably mounting said side frames on said base frame `for movement in longitudinal vertical planes relative to said base frame, brake devices for llocking said treads against movement 4relative vto said side frames when disconnected from said driving means, and roof jack devices mounted on and movable relative to said base frame with `said side frames respectively and engaging the mine roof for securing said tractor base in a stationary position between the mine rloor and roof.

2. In a mobile winch, a main frame, endless tractor tread devices for supporting and propelling said main frame including side tread frames arranged at the opposite sides of said main frame and endless tractor treads guided for circulation on said tread frames, means for adjustably mounting said side tread frames on said main frame for movement in longitudinal vertical planes relative to said main frame,V and extensible roof jack devices having bottom frames secured to and vsupported by said tread Yframes respectively, said bottom frames of said jack de,- vices movable relative to said main frame with said side tread frames.

3. 1n a mobile winch adapted to exert la pull on a cable, a main frame, endless tractor tread devices` for'supporting and propelling said main 4frame including tread frames arranged at the opposite sides of said'main frame and endless tractor "treads guided for circulation inorbital paths on said tread vframes, vand extensible roof jack devices inclined in longitudinal planes with respect to the vertical and in a direction opposed to the direction of pull exerted on the cable for securing the winch in a stationary position between the mine roof and vfloor, said jack devices having bottom frames secured to and supported by said tread frames respectively and fluid cylinders carried by said bottom frames and containing reciprocable pistons having sockets adapted to receive sections of jack pipes.

4. In a mobile winch, a main frame, endless tractor tread devices for supporting and propelling said main frame including tread frames arranged at the opposite sides of said main frame and endless tractor treads guided for circulation on said tread frames, and extensible roof jack devices having bottom frames secured to said tread frames and fluid cylinders pivotally mounted on said bottom frames to swing in planes extending longitudinally of said main frame and containing reciprocable pistons having sockets adapted to receive sections of jack pipes.

5. In a mobile Winch, a main frame, endless tractor tread devices for supporting and propelling said frame including tread frames arranged at the opposite side of said main frame and endless tractor treads guided for circulation on said tread frames, and extensible roof jack devices having bottom frames of inverted generally U-shape extending above the top runs of said tractor treads and having the legs of the U secured to the opposite sides of said tread frames.

6. In a mobile winch, a tractor base having endless tractor treads for supporting, propelling and steering the same, a cable winding drum mechanism arranged on said base on a transverse axis, a motor on said base, a transverse shaft having its axis arranged parallel to the axis of said drum mechanism between said drum mechanism and said motor, driving connections between said shaft and said drum mechanism, and driving connections between said shaft and said tractor treads including a transverse shaft parallel with said rst transverse shaft and spaced longitudinally of said base from said drum mechanism and said rst shaft, said motor located on the base in the space between said parallel transverse shafts, and said rst shaft located nearer to said drum mechanism than said second shaft.

7.. In a mobile winch, a tractor base having endless tractor treads for supporting, propelling and steering the same, a cable winding drum mechanism arranged on Vsaid base on a transverse axis, a motor on said base, a transverse shaft having its axis arranged parallel to the axis of said drum mechanism between said drum mechanism and said motor, driving connections between said shaft and said drum mechanism, and driving connections between said shaft and said tractor treads including aligned shafts arranged with their axes parallel t the axis of said drum mechanism at the side of said motor remote from said drum mechanism and differential gearing between said aligned shafts.

8. In a mobile winch, a tractor base having a pair of endless tractor treads for supporting, propelling and steering the same, a cable winding drum mechanism on said base, a motor on said base, a drive shaft operatively connected to said motor and arranged on said base between said drum mechanism and said motor, clutch controlled connections between one end of said shaft and said drum mechanism, vand clutch controlled connections between the other end of said shaft and both of said tractor treads including a drive shaft spaced longitudinally of said base from said drum mechanism and said first shaft, said motor located on said base in the space between said drive shafts, and said first shaft located nearer to said drum mechanism than said second shaft.

9. In a mobile winch, a tractor base having endless tractor treads for supporting, propelling and steering the samef a cable winding drum mechanism on said base, a motor on said base, a drive shaft operatively connected to said motor and arranged on said base between said drum mechanism and said motor, clutch controlled connections between one end of said shaft and said drum mechanism, and clutch controlled connections between the other end of said shaft and said tractor treads including aligned shafts arranged at the side of said motor remote from said drum mechanism, one shaft operatively connected to each tractor tread and a differential gearing between said aligned shafts.

10. In a mobile winch, a tractor base having endless tractor treads for supporting, propelling and steering 'the same, cable Winding drum mechanism on said base near one end thereof, a differential gearing arranged near the opposite endvof said base, aligned shafts operatively connecting elements of said differential gearing to said tractor treads respectively, a motor on said base between said drum mechanism and said differential gearing, a transverse shaft on said base between said motor and said drum mechanism and operatively connected to said motor, clutch controlled connections between said transverse shaft and said drum mechanism, and clutch controlled connections between said transverse shaft and said differential gearing.

11. In amobile winch, a tractor base having endless tractor treads for supporting, propelling and steering the same, cable winding drum mechanism on said base near one end thereof, a differentialA gearing arranged near the opposite end of said base, aligned shafts operatively connecting elements of Said differential gearing to said tractor treads respectively, a motor on said base between said drum mechanism and said differential gearing, a transverse shaft on said base between said motor and said drum mechanism and operatively connected to said motor, clutch controlled connections between said transverse shaft and said drum mechanism, clutch controlled connections between said transverse shaft and said differential gearing, and brake devices connected to said aligned shafts respectively for controlling the relative speeds of said tractor treads.

12. In a mobile winch adapted to exert a pull on a cable, a tractor base having endless tractor treads for supporting and propelling the same and side frames on which said treads are guided for circulation in orbital paths, motor operated tread driving means, brake devices for locking said treads against circulatory movement relative to said base when disconnected from said driving means, and roof jack devices mounted on said tread frames respectively and secured to the latter wihin the orbits of said treads and including jack elements inclined in longitudinal planes with respect t0 the vertical in opposition to the direction of pull on the cable by the winch for securing said tractor base in a stationary position between the mine roof and floor.

13. In a mobile winch adapted to exert a pull on a cable, a main frame, endless tractor tread devicesY for supporting and propelling said main frame including tread frames arranged at the opposite sides of said main frame and endless tractor treads guided for circulation in orbital paths on said tread frames, and extensible roof jack devices having bottom frames secured to said tread frames respectively within the orbits of said treads and including cooperating jack elements inclined in longitudinal planes with respect to the vertical in a direction opposite to the direction of pull exerted on the cable of the winch, said jack devices acting during operation of the winch firmly to secure said main frame in a stationary position between the mine roof and iioor.

14. In a mobile winch adapted to exert a pull on a cable, a main frame, endless tractor tread devices for supporting and propelling said main frame including tread frames arranged at` the opposite sides of said main frame and endless tractor treads guided for circulation in orbital paths on said tread frames, and extensible roof jack devices disposable in positions inclined with respect to the vertical in a direction opposed to the direction of pull exerted on the cable for securing the winch in a stationary position, said jack devices having bottom frames secured to and supported by said tread frames respectively, and extensible jack elements pivotally carried by said bottom frames respectively, and swingable into relatively inclined positions in planes extending longitudinally of said main frame, said jack elements engageable with the mine roof in either pivoted position thereof with respect to said bottorn frames.

15. In a mobile winch, a main frame, endless tractor tread devices for supporting and propelling said frame including tread frames arranged at the opposite sides of said main frame and endless tractor treads guided for circulation on said tread frames, and extensible roof jack devices having bottom frames of inverted generally U-shape extending above the top runs of said tractor treads and having the legs of the U secured to the opposite sides of said tread frames, extensible jack elements pivotally mounted on the upper portions of said bottom frames to swing about transverse axes in planes extending longitudinally of the winch, and stop means on said bottom frames for limiting the swinging movement of said jack elements in either direction.

16. In a mobile winch, a mobile base having supporting and propelling means, a cable winding drum mechanism arranged transversely of said base near one end thereof, a motor mounted on said base and having its power shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of said base, clutch controlled driving connections between the adjacent end of said motor and said drum mechanism and including a transverse shaft journaled on said base intermediate said drum mechanism and said motor, and clutch controlled driving connections between said shaft and said supporting and propelling means including a transverse shaft arranged transversely of said base at the end of said vmotor remote from said drum mechanism, said motor located on said base longitudinally in the space between said parallel transverse shafts, and a cooperating driving connection extending longitudinally of said base along one side of said motor in longitudinal vertical planes parallel with the motor shaft.

17. In a mobile winch, a mobile base having supporting and propelling means, a cable winding drum mechanism arranged transversely of said base near one end thereof, a motor mounted on said base and having its power shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of said base, clutch controlled driving connections between the adjacent end of said motor and said drum mechanism and including a transverse shaft journaled on said base intermediate said drum mechanism and said motor, and clutch controlled driving connections between said shaft and said supporting and propelling means including a connection extending longitudinally of said base along one side of said motor, aligned relatively rotatable shafts driven by said latter connection and arranged transversely of said base at the end of said motor remote from said drum mechanism, diiferentia1 gearing connecting said shafts, and separate driving connections between said aligned shafts and said supporting and propelling devices respectively.

18. In a mobile winch, a mobile base having supporting and propelling means, a cable winding drum mechanism arranged transversely of said base near one end thereof, a motor mounted on said base and having its power shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of said base, clutch controlled driving connections between the adjacent end of said motor and said drum mechanism and including a transverse shaft journaled on said base intermediate said drum mechanism and said motor, and clutch controlled driving connections between said shaft and said supporting and propelling means including a connection extending longitudinally of said base along one side of said motor, a transverse shaft driven by said latter connection and arranged transversely of said base at the end of said motor remote from said drum mechanism, said rst mentioned transverse shaft having its axis lying in a horizontal plane disposed above a horizontal plane including the motor axis and said second mentioned transverse shaft lying in a horizontal plane below said horizontal plane including said motor axis.

CHARLES F. BALL. GEORGE C. DALMASO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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